In a significant leadership reshuffle, Tech Mahindra has appointed Santosh Kumar Jha as the new head of its Global Capability Centres (GCC) vertical, signaling a strong strategic shift toward expanding this high-growth segment. Jha’s appointment follows a growing trend among top-tier Indian IT firms strengthening their focus on the burgeoning GCC market, projected to reach $105 billion by 2030
Strategic Move to Boost GCC Vertical
Tech Mahindra, traditionally strong in telecom, is now expanding into a consulting-led services model, leveraging its GCC business as a key growth lever. Jha, who joined the firm in March 2025 as Senior Vice-President, was previously Executive Director at TEKsystems and has held leadership roles at KPIT, focusing on global delivery and transformation.
His appointment marks the fourth such move among Indian IT majors in recent months to elevate GCC leadership, following similar appointments by Cognizant, Wipro, and HCLTech.
His appointment marks the fourth such move among Indian IT majors in recent months to elevate GCC leadership, following similar appointments by Cognizant, Wipro, and HCLTech.
Leadership Restructure at Tech Mahindra
As part of the internal reshuffle:
- Santosh Kumar Jha replaces Ram Ramachandran, who now heads specialist sales
- Sahil Dhawan, a long-time Tech Mahindra executive and former KPIT hand, has taken over as Country Head for India, Middle East, and Africa
- GCC Country Heads will now report to Jha, who is expected to report to Dhawan
This reorganization aligns with CEO Mohit Joshi’s broader vision of scaling the firm’s presence in GCC consulting and support services
Tech Mahindra’s Enhanced GCC Offerings
To support its renewed GCC focus, Tech Mahindra has launched:
- TechM Consulting (launched 4 November 2024): A dedicated consulting arm to drive client alignment and innovation
- SST Next-Gen GCC Offering (rolled out 1 April 2025): A comprehensive solution covering build-operate-transfer models and scalable capacity support for client
During the Q4 FY25 earnings call, CEO Mohit Joshi emphasized the importance of developing customized GCC solutions and expanding leadership capabilities to build sustainable partnerships with multinational clients
Industry-Wide Trend in GCC Expansion
Tech Mahindra’s move is part of a larger trend in the Indian IT services landscape:
- Cognizant appointed Sailaja Josyula as GCC head on 1 April
- Wipro brought in Sandeep Dhar on 9 May
- HCLTech named Kiran Cherukuri to a similar role in early May
While Cognizant and HCLTech promoted internal leaders, Tech Mahindra and Wipro chose external talent to steer their GCC strategies
Conclusion
Tech Mahindra’s elevation of Santosh Kumar Jha to lead its GCC vertical is not just a leadership change — it represents a renewed commitment to a high-potential market. By enhancing its consulting capabilities and reimagining GCC offerings, Tech Mahindra is well-positioned to lead the next wave of digital transformation for global clients
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